Why Droplet-Based Technology?
History has demonstrated that our understanding of biological processes is facilitated by the tools available to study them. As biomedical research platforms improved, the depth of understanding increased and the pace of discovery accelerated. In response to the research community’s growing need for better tools, instrument suppliers have employed three strategies to improve research workflows:
- Automation
- Miniaturization
- Multiplexing
These approaches have brought about great discoveries. However, looking ahead to a world where the number of samples and measurements grow exponentially, it is apparent these solutions are reaching their limits and require tradeoffs in the laboratory. For example, with the need for greater specificity and sensitivity, data points increase exponentially, resulting in increasingly complex experimental design and analysis with limited benefit to reducing time to discovery.
Biology is an inherently complex science and the tools employed by scientists should not add to this complexity. RainDance believes a research platform should deliver on three core promises: Simplicity. Speed. Science. Simplicity, because simpler biology eliminates variables, reduces risk, and yields richer results. Speed, because we recognize the sense of urgency around the quest to achieve breakthroughs in human health and disease research. Science, because the challenges faced by our customers deserve elegant solutions that inspire them to rethink their approach and accelerate their work.
Today’s life sciences researchers require preparative and analytical solutions that minimize experimental variables, provide simple sample manipulation, and generate accurate measurements. Customers tell us that scientists would prefer to perform experiments in individual vessels or test tubes to achieve the greatest confidence in results. However, pressures to simultaneously reduce time to discovery and decrease costs have left researchers with the impression they must compromise their science and move away from single tubes to meet timelines and budgets.
RainDance’s RainStorm™ microdroplet-based technology liberates the researcher from the limitations imposed by laboratory practices that fail to keep pace with the advancing capabilities of measurement and analysis tools. Our solutions fulfill the unmet needs of the life science industry’s “Big Science” approach, which is built on the premises that:
- Diseases are complex and are network-based
- Large sample numbers provide statistical power
RainStorm technology creates an island of simplicity in the controlled chaos of the laboratory. It utilizes simplicity and speed to inspire scientists to design experiments in ways previously unaffordable or unimaginable. The platform is aligned with current applications to accelerate workflow and throughput. This approach has generated quantifiable benefits:
- Individualized reactions based on proven methods with minimal opportunity for process induced bias or error, while avoiding the disadvantages and limitations of multiplexed assay formats
- Full control of the discrete droplets with our microfluidic elements and advanced signal processing, providing operators simple and streamlined workflows
- Picoliter reaction volumes providing favorable reaction kinetics and efficient utilization of precious samples
- Physical characteristics that allow the flexibility to meet the needs of a variety of applications
- The speed and higher precision of millions of reactions per hour in a compact instrument footprint, avoiding the need for large automation solutions
- Increased statistical confidence provided by large numbers of replicate measurements
- The ability to easily capture the output of on-chip processes, empowering the technology with both preparative and analytical capabilities
By deflecting the costs inherent in large automation solutions and circumventing the complexities of multiplex assays, the RainStorm microdroplet-based technology platform easily adapts to applications in high-growth life science markets. Our high-speed processing offers increased throughput compared with existing platforms, enabling a higher number of replicate assays. The net results are greater efficiency and utilization of precious samples, higher precision, increased data confidence, streamlined workflow, and reduced reagent consumption.
